Video Shows Skydiver Dangling From Plane’s Tail After Parachute Gets Stuck

On September 20, 2025, in Queensland, Australia, a skydiver survived a near-fatal incident after their reserve parachute accidentally deployed and snagged on the tail of a Cessna 208 aircraft at 15,000 feet. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau reported that the incident occurred during a planned 16-way formation jump. Video footage showed the skydiver dangling from the plane while 13 other parachutists jumped. The experienced skydiver, with over 2,000 jumps, managed to cut themselves free from the tangled parachute, deploy their main chute, and land safely with minor leg injuries. A camera operator was also knocked from the plane and sustained a minor shoulder injury, but landed safely. The pilot, initially unaware of the situation, managed to stabilize the aircraft.

In September, a skydiver in an unspecified location survived a harrowing incident after their reserve parachute accidentally deployed and became entangled on the tail of the aircraft. According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the reserve handle snagged on the plane's flap, causing the parachute to deploy and wrap around the tail. The skydiver was briefly suspended beneath the tailplane before using a hook knife to cut the lines and break free. After separating from the aircraft, the skydiver deployed their main parachute, which initially malfunctioned due to entanglement with the remaining reserve parachute lines. The skydiver was able to correct the issue and land with minor injuries, while the pilot safely landed the damaged airplane.

On September 20, 2025, in Far North Queensland, a skydiver's parachute became entangled with the wing of the plane they had jumped from. Footage released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau shows the handle of the skydiver's reserve parachute snagging on the plane's wing flap, causing it to deploy accidentally. The skydiver was left hanging from the plane's stabiliser by the parachute. The skydiver was able to cut themself free from the entangled parachute. The skydiver survived the incident, sustaining only minor injuries.